BJP to study BS Yeddyurappa cases

NEW DELHI With ex-Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa mounting pressure on the BJP leadership to reinstate him, the party is now examining the status of cases against him. BJP leader Arun Jaitley has been asked to study the cases pending against Yeddyurappa and his family members.

The Karnataka HC had earlier this month given a clean chit to Yeddyurappa in corruption charges in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, emboldening him to launch a fresh bid to get back the CM post. He also wanted the party to accommodate his nominee in the list of candidates for RS from Karnataka.

BJP has already named R Ramakrishna, convenor of the party's election cell and a retired IAS officer, for one of the two seats that the party can win. With polls to Karnataka assembly expected next summer, there is acknowledgement in BJP that it would find it difficult to retain power in the southern states without the Lingayat leader.